To Win Christ
Submitted by Frank Williams
December 2, 2024
Php 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
One day, Paul’s life was dramatically changed. He had planned and worked so hard to gain the things that were important to him, including his own personal salvation. But that one day on the way to Damascus, everything in his life changed. The reason for such a transformation of his lifestyle was because he was born again by the grace of God.
The word “count” appears three times in these two verses. The things that used to be important to him, Paul now viewed them as loss, even as dung. He had previously trusted in his Jewish heritage and religious performance to profit him. After his encounter with the Lord Jesus, everything changed. Now the supreme advantage of knowing and winning Christ became his sole spiritual motivation.
The key to such a change of life is a personal relationship with Jesus. To “know” Him implies a close attachment of intimacy, not just knowing facts about something or someone. The Gospel is a Person to believe in and a life to be lived.
The things Paul now counted as loss could refer to his family, his inheritance, his religious merit, his rabbinical training—and all the prestige these brought to him. Everything he had previously considered valuable suddenly lost all its value.
To “win” implies a race. We are encouraged in Heb 12:1-2, ...let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
The race the Lord has for us is one of Grace and Mercy. Being born again puts us on the track, at the starting block. This is not a race of personal competition between believers, but it is a race with one objective→ To Win Christ.
Of course, this has nothing to do with trying to earn our salvation. Being born again is the free gift of grace through the Lord Jesus.
Consider – Once we are on the race track, God expects some forward movement out of us. So, stay in your lane and keep running.
